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Kentucky Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

Independently fact-checkedEditor-reviewedLaw current as of August 16, 2026By Recording Law Editorial TeamReviewed September 3, 202612 min read

Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 16, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 16, 2026. · 9 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content

Kentucky Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

Kentucky calculates child support using the income shares model under KRS 403.212. Courts combine both parents' gross monthly income, look up the base obligation on the guidelines table, then divide that amount proportionally based on each parent's share of the combined total. Use the Kentucky child support calculator below to estimate a guideline amount, or open the Kentucky child support calculator to run your numbers on a full-page tool.

How Kentucky Calculates Child Support

Kentucky uses the income shares model to determine child support obligations. This model is based on the principle that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if both parents lived together.

a mother packing a metal lunchbox in the kitchen while her young child pulls on a backpack

The governing statute is KRS 403.212, which was most recently amended by 2024 Kentucky Acts Chapter 219 (HB 244). The guidelines table updates took effect July 1, 2025.

Under this model, the court follows these steps:

  1. Determine each parent's gross monthly income
  2. Combine both parents' gross incomes
  3. Look up the base child support obligation on the guidelines table based on combined income and number of children
  4. Divide the obligation proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income
  5. Apply the parenting time credit if applicable
  6. Add each parent's proportional share of health insurance and child care costs

For example, if Parent A earns $4,000 per month and Parent B earns $6,000, the combined income is $10,000. Parent A is responsible for 40% of the obligation, and Parent B is responsible for 60%.

What Counts as Income in Kentucky

Kentucky defines gross income broadly under KRS 403.212. The court considers income from virtually all sources, including:

  • Wages, salaries, and commissions
  • Bonuses and severance pay
  • Self-employment income (minus ordinary business expenses)
  • Pensions, annuities, and retirement benefits
  • Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Disability and workers' compensation benefits
  • Unemployment insurance benefits
  • Dividends, interest, and investment income
  • Rental income and royalties
  • Gifts and prizes of recurring value
  • Alimony received from a previous relationship

What is excluded: Means-tested public assistance such as SNAP (food stamps), TANF, and similar benefits are not counted as income.

Adjusted gross income is calculated by subtracting court-ordered alimony payments and child support obligations for children from other relationships.

The Child Support Obligation Table

Kentucky's child support guidelines include an obligation table built into KRS 403.212. This table lists the base monthly child support obligation based on the parents' combined monthly gross income and the number of children.

The table covers combined monthly incomes up to approximately $30,000. For parents whose combined income exceeds the top of the table, the court uses judicial discretion to set an appropriate amount based on the child's needs and the parents' financial resources.

The Kentucky Attorney General's office publishes the official guidelines table and worksheet. The Attorney General's website also provides a manual with examples to help parents understand how the guidelines apply.

Kentucky also provides an online child support calculator through the Attorney General's office that estimates obligations based on the information you enter. Keep in mind that this tool provides an estimate only, and a judge may adjust the final amount.

Minimum Child Support and the Self-Support Reserve

The minimum guideline amount of child support in Kentucky is a flat $60 per month, regardless of the number of children. A judge may deviate from this amount only if specific findings support a different figure.

Kentucky also applies a self-support reserve for low-income parents. When the paying parent's income falls below a certain threshold, the calculation adjusts to use that parent's individual adjusted gross income rather than the combined parental income. This protects low-income obligors from support orders that would push them below subsistence level.

Parenting Time Credit (KRS 403.2122)

Kentucky significantly updated its parenting time adjustment rules through House Bill 501 (effective March 31, 2023) and again through HB 244 in 2024, which created KRS 403.2122, effective July 15, 2024. KRS 403.2122 replaced the prior KRS 403.2121 and raised the minimum qualifying threshold.

Under KRS 403.2122, a parent who has the child for at least 88 court-ordered or exercised days per year qualifies for a shared parenting time credit that reduces their child support obligation. A "day" is defined as any period of more than 12 consecutive hours within a 24-hour period where the child is under the care, control, or direct supervision of that parent.

The credit percentages are:

Parenting Time (Days Per Year)Credit Percentage
88 to 115 days15%
116 to 129 days20.5%
130 to 142 days25%
143 to 152 days30.5%
153 to 162 days36%
163 to 172 days42%
173 to 181 days48.5%
182 to 182.5 days50%

The parenting time must be court-ordered or agreed to by both parties and must be consistently exercised. Under KRS 403.2122, the court may also consider whether a parent has consistently followed the time-sharing schedule when evaluating a modification request.

Important limitation: Under KRS 403.2122(6), the court has discretion in awarding the shared parenting time credit if the obligee receives KCHIP, KTAP, SNAP, or Medicaid. The trigger is the obligee's receipt of those benefits, not the child's, and the credit is not automatically barred in that situation.

Imputed Income for Unemployed or Underemployed Parents

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income to that parent. This means child support will be calculated based on what the parent could reasonably earn given their education, skills, work history, and the availability of jobs in the community.

The court considers the following when imputing income:

  • The parent's employment history and recent earnings
  • Education, training, and professional skills
  • Physical and mental health
  • Job availability in the local area
  • The parent's efforts to find employment

The court cannot impute income if the parent is:

  • Physically or mentally incapacitated
  • Caring for a child under the age of 3
  • Incarcerated

The court may find a parent voluntarily unemployed even without evidence that the parent intended to avoid child support. If you have lost your job or taken a lower-paying position, ask a Kentucky family lawyer for a free case evaluation on whether the court could impute your old income (attorney advertising).

2025 Changes: Transfer to the Attorney General's Office

Effective July 1, 2025, Kentucky's child support program transferred from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office, Department of Child Support Services. The transfer itself was enacted by 2023 Senate Bill 48, which became 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 124 and moved administration of the child support program from the Cabinet to the Attorney General effective July 1, 2025. HB 244 (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 219) was a separate bill that updated the guidelines and added the conforming Attorney General references.

Key changes that took effect on July 1, 2025:

  • The Attorney General's office now administers child support enforcement statewide
  • The Attorney General is required to promulgate an administrative regulation establishing the child support obligation worksheet
  • The Attorney General's website hosts a manual with examples illustrating how the guidelines and worksheet apply
  • Medical expense allocation was clarified, establishing which parent is responsible for the initial $250 in uninsured medical expenses per year

If you have an existing child support case, it was automatically transferred to the Attorney General's office. You can access services through the Kentucky Child Support website or by calling (800) 248-1163.

How to Modify Child Support in Kentucky

Kentucky allows either parent to request a modification of child support when there is a material change of circumstances that is substantial and continuing.

Under KRS 403.213, if a new calculation differs from the existing order by at least 15%, there is a presumption that modification is warranted. If the difference is less than 15%, there is a presumption against modification.

Common grounds for modification include:

  • Significant change in either parent's income (job loss, new employment, promotion)
  • Change in the parenting time arrangement
  • Change in the child's medical or educational needs
  • Significant change in health insurance or child care costs
  • Changes in the law (such as the 2023 or 2025 amendments)

To request a modification:

  1. Submit a written request to your local child support office or the Attorney General's Department of Child Support Services
  2. Provide current income documentation (pay stubs, tax returns, W-2 forms)
  3. Include evidence of the changed circumstances
  4. If both parents agree, submit a proposed modified order for court approval

If parents cannot agree, a judge will hold a hearing and make the determination. Modifications are not retroactive in Kentucky. The new amount takes effect only from the date the modification is filed or ordered.

Enforcement of Child Support in Kentucky

Kentucky has multiple tools to enforce child support orders. The Department of Child Support Services under the Attorney General's office handles enforcement statewide.

Enforcement actions include:

  • Income withholding: Wages, salary, bonuses, and commissions can be garnished directly from the paying parent's employer
  • Unemployment and benefit interception: Unemployment insurance, disability benefits, and retirement payments may be intercepted
  • Tax refund interception: State and federal tax refunds can be seized when arrears exceed $500 (state) or $500 (federal, for non-public assistance cases)
  • Passport denial: The U.S. State Department will deny or revoke a passport when child support arrears exceed $2,500
  • Property liens and seizure: Liens can be placed on real estate, vehicles, boats, and other property after one month of unpaid support
  • License suspension: Driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses may be suspended after six months of unpaid support
  • Bank account levy: Financial accounts can be frozen and funds seized to satisfy arrears
  • Credit reporting: Unpaid child support may be reported to credit bureaus, affecting the parent's credit score

Criminal Penalties for Failure to Pay

Under KRS 530.050, persistent failure to pay child support can result in criminal charges.

Nonsupport (Class A Misdemeanor)

A parent commits nonsupport when they fail to provide support that they can reasonably provide and know they have a duty to provide. Penalties include:

  • Up to 12 months in jail
  • Fines up to $500
  • For a second offense: minimum 7 days in jail
  • For a third or subsequent offense: minimum 30 days in jail

Flagrant Nonsupport (Class D Felony)

A parent commits flagrant nonsupport when they persistently fail to provide support they can reasonably provide and know they have a duty to provide, and the failure results in:

  • Arrears of $2,500 or more, or
  • Six consecutive months without any payment, or
  • The dependent being placed in destitute circumstances

Penalties for a Class D felony include:

  • 1 to 5 years in prison
  • Fines of $1,000 to $10,000

Incarceration is typically a last resort because it limits the parent's ability to earn income and make payments.

Interest on Arrears and Statute of Limitations

Kentucky charges 12% annual interest on unpaid child support arrears. This interest compounds and can significantly increase the total amount owed over time.

The statute of limitations to enforce child support arrears in Kentucky is 15 years under KRS 413.090(5). The clock does not run separately for each child. The time to commence the action is tolled until all current child support obligations cease as to the last child covered by that order, so on a multi-child order the 15 years begin when the youngest child on the order ages out. Arrears may be pursued as one cumulative action for everything owed under the order.

Under KRS 406.031(1), an action to determine paternity must be commenced within 18 years after the child's birth. If the action is brought two or more years after the birth, child support liability does not predate the filing of that action.

Important: Emancipation of the child does not eliminate existing arrears. Any unpaid child support that accumulated while the child was a minor remains enforceable, with the 15-year clock starting only when current support ends for the last child on the order.

When Does Child Support End in Kentucky?

Child support in Kentucky automatically terminates when the child turns 18. However, the court may order support to continue until the child turns 19 if the child is still enrolled in and attending high school at age 18. In that case, support continues until the end of the school year in which the child turns 19.

If you are paying support for multiple children under one order, the obligation does not automatically decrease when one child ages out. You must petition the court for a modification to adjust the amount.

Emancipation Before Age 18

Kentucky has no general statute that lets a minor petition for emancipation on financial-independence grounds alone. The clear statutory route is marriage, and it is narrow. Under KRS 402.020(1)(f), a marriage by a person who is under 18 at the time of marriage is prohibited and void except as provided in KRS 402.210, and KRS 402.210(2) bars a county clerk from issuing a license to anyone under 17.

A 17-year-old who wants to marry must:

  • Petition the family court in the county where the minor resides, or the District Court in that county if no family court division has been established, under KRS 402.205 for an order granting permission to marry and removing the disability of minority
  • Include an affidavit of parental or custodial consent as one element of that petition. Consent by itself is not enough. The court order is what removes minority status
  • Show maturity and capacity for self-sufficiency, including proof of stable housing or employment for at least three consecutive months and completion of high school, a High School Equivalency Diploma, or a vocational training or certificate program
  • Wait at least 15 days after the order is granted before the clerk may issue the license

Once the court removes the disability of minority, the minor is emancipated and the parent's ongoing child support obligation ends. Under KRS 403.213(3), emancipation does not erase child support arrearages that accrued while the child was an unemancipated minor.

Health Insurance and Medical Expenses

Kentucky requires both parents to share the cost of health insurance for the child. The parent who carries the insurance receives a credit on the child support worksheet for the cost of adding the child to their plan.

Under the 2025 amendments (HB 244), the allocation of medical expenses was clarified. One parent is responsible for the initial $250 in annual uninsured medical expenses, with costs above that amount divided proportionally between the parents based on their share of combined income.

Work-related child care costs, such as daycare or after-school care needed for a parent to maintain employment, are also divided proportionally and factored into the support calculation.

More Kentucky Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Kentucky?

Kentucky uses the income shares model under KRS 403.212. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, and the court looks up the base obligation on the guidelines table based on combined income and the number of children. Each parent pays their proportional share. Credits are applied for health insurance, child care, and parenting time.

What changed with Kentucky child support laws in 2025?

Effective July 1, 2025, Kentucky's child support program transferred from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Attorney General's Office. That transfer was enacted by 2023 Senate Bill 48, which became 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 124. A separate bill, HB 244 (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 219), updated the guidelines table, clarified medical expense allocation (one parent covers the initial $250 per year), and added the conforming Attorney General references. The AG now administers enforcement statewide. The parenting time credit under KRS 403.2122 had already taken effect July 15, 2024.

Does child support end if I go to jail in Kentucky?

No. Child support obligations continue during incarceration. However, you may be able to request a modification based on changed circumstances. Contact the Department of Child Support Services or the court as soon as possible if you are incarcerated, because arrears will continue to accumulate.

How many days of parenting time do I need to qualify for the credit in Kentucky?

Under KRS 403.2122 (effective July 15, 2024), you need at least 88 court-ordered or exercised days per year to qualify for the parenting time credit. At 88 to 115 days the credit is 15%, rising to 50% at 182 to 182.5 days. The prior 73-day threshold under KRS 403.2121 was replaced when the new law took effect.

What is the penalty for not paying child support in Kentucky?

Consequences range from wage garnishment and license suspension to criminal charges. Nonsupport is a Class A misdemeanor with up to 12 months in jail. Flagrant nonsupport, which applies when arrears reach $2,500 or more or when six consecutive months pass without payment, is a Class D felony carrying 1 to 5 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Kentucky Child Support Calculator

Estimate your child support obligation under KRS § 403.212. This calculator provides a step-by-step breakdown with statute citations.

Kentucky Child Support Calculator

This state uses the Income Shares model, which considers both parents' income to determine a combined obligation, then splits it proportionally.

Based on KRS § 403.212 · Effective July 1, 2025

Income

The obligor is the parent who pays child support — typically the non-custodial parent.

$

Monthly income BEFORE taxes (taxes are never subtracted). Subtract only court-ordered support or maintenance actually paid for other cases.

The obligee is the parent who receives child support — typically the custodial parent.

$

Monthly income BEFORE taxes (taxes are never subtracted). Subtract only court-ordered support or maintenance actually paid for other cases.

Children
Additional Expenses
$

Monthly health insurance premium covering the children

$

Monthly childcare costs due to employment or education

Parenting Time

Number of overnight stays per year with obligor (110+ triggers parenting time adjustment)

Enter income details to see your estimate

How Kentucky Calculates Child Support

  • •Kentucky's guidelines run on ADJUSTED GROSS income: income taxes and FICA are never subtracted. The only adjustments to gross income are items like court-ordered child support or maintenance a parent actually pays for other cases. Enter income before taxes.
  • •Kentucky uses the Income Shares model under KRS § 403.212, combining both parents' adjusted gross incomes to determine the basic child support obligation.
  • •The basic obligation is taken from the statutory child support guidelines table (KRS § 403.212(7)) and prorated between parents based on each parent's share of combined income.
  • •A parenting time adjustment applies when the noncustodial parent has 110 or more overnights per year (approximately 30% of the time).
  • •Health insurance premiums and work-related childcare costs are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally between parents.
  • •Adjusted gross income includes all income from any source, minus allowable deductions such as maintenance paid, prior child support obligations, and certain taxes.
  • •Courts may deviate from the guidelines upon a written finding that application would be unjust or inappropriate under the specific circumstances of the case (KRS § 403.211).
  • •Kentucky requires completion of the Child Support Worksheet (AOC-275) for all child support orders.

What Is the Average Child Support Payment in Kentucky?

Estimated Average Monthly Payment

$848/month

Estimated Annual Total

$10,176/year

Kentucky does not publish an official “average” child support payment. This estimate was calculated using the Kentucky guideline formula above with median income data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 — Kentucky Median Earnings. Your actual amount will differ — use the calculator above with your own numbers for a personalized estimate.

Assumptions used in this estimate
  • •Obligor gross monthly income of $3,900 before taxes (Kentucky median full-time earnings, U.S. Census ACS 2024)
  • •Obligee gross monthly income of $2,900 before taxes (Kentucky median female full-time earnings)
  • •2 children (average for Kentucky child support cases)
  • •$200/month for children's health insurance
  • •No childcare costs; 52 overnights/year with obligor (below parenting time adjustment threshold)

Data year: 2024

Important Legal Disclaimer

This calculator provides an estimate only based on Kentucky's child support guidelines. Actual court-ordered amounts may differ based on factors not captured here, including special needs, shared custody arrangements, travel costs, and judicial discretion.

This is not legal advice. Consult a family law attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

View Official StatuteOfficial Kentucky CalculatorLast verified: August 21, 2026

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Updates

Corrected the paternity filing deadline to 18 years after birth under KRS 406.031(1), attributed the 2025 transfer of the child support program to the Attorney General to its actual enacting act (2023 SB 48, 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 124), keyed the KRS 403.2122(6) parenting-time-credit discretion to the obligee rather than the child, restated the KRS 413.090(5) arrears clock as tolled until support ends for the last child on the order, and rewrote the emancipation section to Kentucky’s actual marriage statutes (KRS 402.020, 402.205, 402.210).

Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Corrected two guideline errors: the parenting time credit is discretionary (not barred) when the child receives public assistance, and the $60/month minimum support obligation is a flat floor, not $60 per child.

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Reviewed and approved by an editor

Sources and References

  1. KRS 403.212 - Child Support Guidelines(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
  2. KRS 403.2122 - Shared Parenting Time Credit(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
  3. KRS 403.213 - Criteria for Modification of Child Support(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
  4. KRS 530.050 - Nonsupport and Flagrant Nonsupport(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
  5. Kentucky Attorney General - Child Support Services(ag.ky.gov).gov
  6. Kentucky Child Support Online Calculator(kentuckychildsupport.ky.gov).gov
  7. HB 244 - 2024 Regular Session (Acts Chapter 219)(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
  8. KRS 403.211 - Action to Establish or Enforce Child Support(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
  9. 2024 Kentucky Acts Chapter 219 (HB 244)(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
  10. KRS 406.031 - Limitation of Action (Paternity)(apps.legislature.ky.gov)
  11. KRS 413.090 - Fifteen-Year Limitation and Child Support Arrearages(apps.legislature.ky.gov)
  12. KRS 402.020 - Other Prohibited Marriages(apps.legislature.ky.gov)
  13. KRS 402.205 - Petition by Seventeen Year Old for Permission to Marry(apps.legislature.ky.gov)
  14. KRS 402.210 - Requirements for Issuance of Marriage License(apps.legislature.ky.gov)
  15. SB 48 - 2023 Regular Session (2023 Ky. Acts ch. 124, child support program transfer to the Attorney General)(apps.legislature.ky.gov)
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